File No. 822.124/299.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

The Congress, which opens August 10, will probably award Guayaquil contract. It might be well for the Department to find out if MacArthur Bros. are in earnest. If so a representative should be sent immediately or the local representative be given full powers to negotiate and sign contract. This firm is the only entirely American house interested.

Schuyler.